It’s time for the Wednesday Website suggestion!! For two years, I was the Technology Specialist at a sc
Raise your hand if you like TED Talks (now giggle to yourself if your hand actually started to raise!) If you’ve never heard of TED Talks, they are video clips of speakers that are focused on Technology, Entertainment and Design. Every TED talk I’ve ever watched has made me think, inspired me and gave me something solid to talk about. (When you spend all day talking to kids, it’s nice to have adult topics roll around in your head for awhile!) Most of these talks are at too high of a level to play for my students, but there are a few marked exceptions, like the 13 year old boy from Kenya who invented a solar powered light system to keep the lions away. Check it out below:
TED also has live conference, but the talks are all online, which makes it easy to watch them on a day to day basis.
Now TED has also developed a section specifically for educators, called TED-Ed. In this section, there are videos designed specifically for a younger audience. I would say most of the videos I have looked at would be appropriate for grades 3 – 12. Here’s the video my class is using for Ancient Rome:
Next to each video, there is also a Think and Dig Deeper tab. In the Think tab there are comprehension questions that your class can work through. In the Dig Deeper tab there is additional information and websites to provide further information for you and your students.
If you are flipping your classroom, this is an amazing tool to truly guide students at home and set them up to work with you in class the next day. If you are managing a traditional classroom, this is a great way to keep students engaged in the lesson at hand while ensuring learning. It’s a win-win.
Do you make your own student videos? You can submit them to be added to TED-Ed in their Get Involved tab.
After you’ve watched some TED-Ed videos, I’d love it if you left me a comment telling me what your favorite is.
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